She was not quite a week overdue, my March baby, I see her newborn image, this morning, in Charles River ice. Twenty six years ago, her due date: March 8, 1992, International Women's Day - I was hoping for such a day for her birth. The holiday came and went. There was no snow; no March storm to worry me. She was to be born in Florida, like her brother. I had been off from work for almost a week so I could rest and prepare for her splendid, natural birth. In a birthing center, she would be born, without drugs, without interference. I was determined to be rested, confident, in charge of the process, in tune with the wonderful, natural rhythm of mother and daughter, ease and joy. Here, this morning, my ice baby, glittering in a beam of morning sunlight. Yes. It will be just like that, Perri. We will be ready for each other, and I will deliver you into a sunbeam, your life.

All photos and text copyright 2018 by Kelly DuMar